Performing at First Night Westport will be Wendy Ann Mitchell's Ultra Violet Puppets.

Performing at First Night Westport will be Wendy Ann Mitchell's Ultra Violet Puppets.

Photo: Contributed Photo

Image 2 of 10

Performing at First Night Westport will be Bari Koral with bandmates Dred Scott and Eric Halvorson.

Performing at First Night Westport will be Bari Koral with bandmates Dred Scott and Eric Halvorson.

Photo: Contributed Photo

Image 3 of 10

Performing at First Night Westport will be Mystic India.

Performing at First Night Westport will be Mystic India.

Photo: Contributed Photo

Image 4 of 10

Participating in First Night Westport will be Dennis Shore, known as "Dennis the Train Man."

Participating in First Night Westport will be Dennis Shore, known as "Dennis the Train Man."

Photo: Contributed Photo

Image 5 of 10

Image 6 of 10

Carriage rides around the city will be featured at First Night Hartford.

Carriage rides around the city will be featured at First Night Hartford.

Photo: Contributed Photo

Image 7 of 10

Street performers are featured at First Night Hartford.

Street performers are featured at First Night Hartford.

Photo: Contributed Photo

Image 8 of 10

Ice carvers will participate in First Night Danbury.

Ice carvers will participate in First Night Danbury.

Photo: Contributed Photo

Image 9 of 10

Belly dancer Careesah will participate in First Night Danbury.

Belly dancer Careesah will participate in First Night Danbury.

Photo: Contributed Photo

Image 10 of 10

New Year's Eve family festivals offer art-y alternatives

1 / 10

Back to Gallery

Why tinker with a great concept?

Begun as a nonprofit festival in Boston on New Year's Eve 1976, First Night celebrations based on the original concept are going strong -- growing throughout the United Sates, Canada and New Zealand.

This year, about 100 communities will celebrate New Year's Eve on Monday, Dec. 31, in an alcohol-free, family-oriented, arts-related fashion, including three in Connecticut as part of the First Night federation: Hartford, Westport and Danbury. Middletown will host a similar event: "Middnight on Main."

So how do they work? Generally, First Night events center on music, dance and theater -- geared for various ages and tastes -- presented in a cluster of downtown churches/temples and municipal and commercial buildings.

Kids' puppet shows and teen rock bands are often featured, as well as magicians, comics and jazz, gospel and classical concerts. They start in afternoon or early evening and conclude at midnight or earlier with fireworks or other special events.

A one-time fee is charged that gives entry to all events and shows; patrons receive a wristband or button pin, which must be worn throughout.

And why are they called First Nights? According to the folks in Hartford, New Year's Eve is a time for "renewal and new beginnings. It is an opportunity for the community to look ahead collectively with hope and optimism and appreciate its common bonds. The name `First Night' symbolizes this forward look, over the technically correct `Last Night.' "

First Night Westport will feature about 25 different performances from 4 to 10:30 p.m. The annual event, now in its 19th year, "is expected to bring a wider range of entertainment attracting a more adult audience than in the past, while retaining the popular events that have attracted children and teens," organizers say.

"New to First Night Westport is Mystic India, a troupe of world class dancers wearing vibrant costumes, who perform with the dynamic music of Bollywood Cinema to create an explosion of colors and energy," the festival says.

Among the other highlights will be Ultra Violet Puppets with puppeteer Wendy Ann Mitchell; Dennis Shore, known affectionately as "Dennis the train man"; Westport's own Leslie Orofino, actress and singer, who has been performing to sold-out audiences at Manhattan's legendary Algonquin Hotel; the Good News Gospel Choir, a 50-voice multi-denominational singing group, founded and directed by musician Chris Coogan.

In addition, popular artist Pat Mason will create animal caricatures; the Magic Genie will be sharing some of his magic; and Mike Valentine will draw caricatures to capture funny, but flattering profiles. Another popular feature is the Bigelow Tea House of the New Year Moon at Westport Town Hall. Fortune tellers, palm readers, psychics, and Tarot card readers will be on hand (small fee charged) with complimentary tea.

First Night Danbury will take place in downtown Danbury from 4 to 8 p.m. Buttons are $7.50; 203-792-1711 or visit www.firstnightdanbury.org.

Ted Killmer, consulting producer, says: "I think there's going to be a real lot of surprises at this year's First Night. One of my favorites is `Belly Dancing for Children,' which we're going to do at the library.

"This is going to be the fourth year that we've hosted mini-vaudeville at the Palace Theatre. In 45 minutes, guests will see three acts. So this year the headliner will be comedian Buddy Flip, who has worked with `Sesame Street Live,' and who has been on `Comedy Central' and is very often seen in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. He'll be joined by the Susan King Duo and magician Ben Mesmer."

The finale at Library Plaza (in front of Danbury's library) will "include a wonderful fire show by Rock Inferno. We have an ice sculptor, too, so I always call it a fire-and-ice finale," he adds.

FIRST NIGHT HARTFORD

"Hartford's premier New Year's Eve party (is) a multicultural, artistically unique, alcohol-free New Year's experience with countless professional musicians, artists, performance groups and exhibits that inspire thousands of people of all ages to attend each year," say Hartford organizers.

This is the 24th year for First Night Hartford, which will kick off around 2 p.m. It will feature two fireworks shows in Bushnell Park: at 6 p.m. and midnight. Venues will include the public library, City Hall, The Old State House, State House Square, Wadsworth Atheneum, Center Church and Charter Oak Cultural Center and The Bushnell Carousel. Wristbands are $10; $2 for age 3 to 15. www.firstnighthartford.org

`MIDDNIGHT ON MAIN'

"Middnight on Main" will feature more than 100 shows in four blocks of downtown from 3 p.m. to midnight in Middletown. Venues include bank lobbies, performance halls, storefronts, churches and galleries. "With new performances starting every hour and lots of hands-on activities, there is truly something for everyone," organizers say.

All performances are 45 minutes long and start on the hour. A free 6 p.m. rooftop fireworks show will be a highlight, as well as the New Year's Celebration starting at 11:30 p.m. in front of the Church of Holy Trinity, with church bells ringing in 2013. Button are $20, $10 for age 2 to 12. http://www.middnight.org. A button sale tent will be set up in front of Church of Holy Trinity, 381 Main St., Middletown.